Mariam Sitchinava – Stealing The Intimacy

“With a flick of a finger, I am stealing the intimacy.”

Mariam Sitchinava’s work has a particular quality to it. There is something raw, intimate, and alive. Her ethereal photographs allow the viewer to become part of the artistic process: to hear the sounds, breathe in the air, and almost touch the tips of the grass.

Her works are in motion. They fill you with an unfamiliar feeling, something you can only experience if you follow her lead and allow yourself to be carried into her reality.

✱ Photograph courtesy of Mariam Sitchinava

How long have you been involved in photographic art, and how did you get into it?

I’ve been involved in photographic art since 2009. I had never taken photos before I received an analog camera as a gift. Little by little, I learned how to use manual cameras, how to catch the perfect light, and how to use photography as a reflection of my vision and mood.

What inspires you?

Anything and everything can be an inspiration. Even simple things, like a conversation with a friend, random light, or a smell. People can be a source as well.

Why photography?

Photography is the best way to express my emotions.

✱ Photograph courtesy of Mariam Sitchinava

Your photos have an inexplicable feeling of movement and reality. How do you achieve that effect? What’s your secret?

For me, it’s always hard to talk about my photos. I’d say they’re like daydreams: nostalgic, sensual, feminine, divine, and natural. Vision is the main thing, of course, and technique comes after. I learned everything by myself, which gave me the freedom to experiment, play with light, and discover what truly feels like mine. I think I blend the model and the environment through color and emotion in a very particular way—that’s where the effect comes from.

✱ Photograph courtesy of Mariam Sitchinava

Mother nature, mood, abundance of light, trembling, goosebumps on the skin. How do you work with models? Do you give direction, or do you let them live the moment?

Yes, I give direction, but I try not to lose their natural expression. I want their role to be more than visual. I always communicate with the model before the shoot; their mood matters a lot. For me, a model shouldn’t just participate—she needs to act.

The way you capture the female body shows deep appreciation. It feels like constant admiration of its beauty and fragility. What draws you to it?

For me, women and nature together are a perfect combination. They help me transform my imagination into photography.

The human body is temporary, while photographs outlive the people in them. Do you think photography allows us to connect with those who are no longer around?

Absolutely. Photographs allow us to remember and connect. Photography evokes nostalgia more than anything else. It’s the best way to feel emotion and experience a kind of virtual journey tied to a person or a moment in time.

What’s an important story you want to tell through your work?

I’m simply sharing my inner world with viewers. Many people see themselves in my photos—their childhood, their emotions, their memories. They feel a connection, and that’s important to me.

Pandemic and artist survival. How do you manage to live and work?

The past few months were crazy for everyone. I had a lot of time to think and visualize things. I did four or five personal photoshoots in a month, which is a lot for such a short period, but I’m happy I managed to do it.

Life as an artist in Tbilisi. What’s missing? What would you change?

It’s difficult in some ways. For example, I had collaboration and shooting opportunities canceled because it was impossible to get a visa on short notice. Also, our Ministry of Culture isn’t very supportive. Early in my career, I missed several important exhibitions due to a lack of support.